Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, met once again on May 18, 2026, with Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, this time in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, following an invitation from the Primate of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
During the visit, the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church participated in the inauguration of the International Orthodox University at the site of the Baptism of Jesus Christ on the Jordan River, near the Patriarchal Monastery of the Holy Epiphany.
The opening ceremony was attended by Abdullah II, Patriarch Theophilos III, Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, hierarchs of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, representatives of Christian communities in Jordan, diplomats, and public officials.
Later in Amman, Patriarch Theophilos III and Metropolitan Anthony met with Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, chief adviser to the King on religious and humanitarian affairs. Discussions focused on interreligious dialogue, Christian pilgrimage and the situation of Christians in the Middle East.
Metropolitan Anthony also conveyed greetings and assurances of support from Patriarch Kirill to Patriarch Theophilos III, who in turn asked that his brotherly wishes be passed on to the Patriarch of Moscow.
